Extrusion presses

ABSTRACT

Our invention minimizes damage to dummy blocks normally used in the billet container of an extrusion press when the container is stripped following the end of an extrusion cycle. The invention provides a chute adjacent to the exposed dummy block and billet butt and a platform which extends into the chute. In the event the dummy block separates from the butt, it falls into the chute to rest on the platform. In the event the dummy block adheres to the butt, they both fall into the chute when the butt is sheared from the extrusion in the die. The chute and platform are lined with a soft metal to avoid damage to the dummy block, even in the short amount of fall. The platform is then lowered at a controlled rate to a position wherein a pusher mechanism removes the dummy block and butt from the platform.

United States Patent 1 3,688,543

Kamena et al. 1 Sept. 5, 1972 [54] EXTRUSION PRESSES 3,566,659 3/1971 Cameron ..72/272 [72] Inventors: Fred Kamena, Youngstown;

Anthony sgambafi Campbell Primary Exaxnmer-R 1chard J. Herbst both of Ohio Attorney-Michael Williams [73] Assignee: Wean Industries, Inc., Young- 57 ABSTRACT stown, Ohio Our invention minimizes damage to dummy blocks [22] Flled: 1970 normally used in the billet container of an extrusion [21] APPL 88,746 press when the container is stripp ed following the end of an extrusion cycle. The Invention provides a chute adjacent to the exposed dummy block and billet butt CCiI and a platform which extends into the chute In the e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e I e e e e e o- [5 8] Flam of Search into the chute to rest on the platform. In the event the 72/27 255 dummy block adheres to the butt, they both fall into 56 R f ed the chute when the butt is sheared from the extrusion 1 1 in the die. The chute and platform are lined with a soft UNITED STATES PATENTS metal to avoid damage to the dummy block, even in t the short amount of fall. The platform is then lowered 3,581,544 6/1971 Grimes ..72/253 at a controlled rate to a position wherein a pusher 3,377,832 4/1968 Singleton ..72/264 mechanism removes the dummy block and butt from 2,728,453 12/ 1955 Thweatt et a1 ..72/263 the platform 3,129,818 4/1964 Behrendt ..72/255 3,373,592 3/ 1968 Robra ..72/255 10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Ex IN- aoLENom Z5 EXTRUSION PRESSES BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY In extrusion press operations, it is common to employ a dummy block behind the billet in a container for the purpose of transmitting extrusion forces from the press ram to the butt end of the billet to force the latter through an extrusion die. Following the end of an extrusion cycle, that is when almost all but a predetermined amount of the billet has been extruded through the die, the container is moved away from the die to expose the dummy block and billet butt so that a shear may be operated to sever the butt from the extrusion in the die.

In some cases the dummy block falls from the butt when the container is stripped and in other cases the dummy block falls with the butt when the latter is sheared from the extrusion. Insofar as we are aware, the dummy block in prior art constructions would fall, either alone or with the butt, a considerable distance to a receiver, from where it was transfered by a slide, to a place where it may be collected for reuse.

The dummy block is a heat treated alloy steel of good quality and it can be damaged in its fall to the old type receivers. Such damage may include chipping of the block to cause subsequent damage to the press tooling and ultimately result in the production of an inferior extruded product. Damage could also result to the receiver mechanism by reason of the weight of the falling dummy block and butt.

Our invention provides a fixed chute adjacent to the dummy block and butt when the container is stripped therefrom, the chute having a flared upper open end to guide the falling dummy block and butt. A platform is moved through the lower opening of the chute and the dummy block and butt come to rest on the platform. The chute and platform are lined with a soft metal so that even in the now relatively short fall, the dummy block will be protected against damage. The platform is then lowered to a position wherein the dummy block and butt may be removed therefrom by a pusher mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings accompanying this specification and forming a part of this application, there is shown, for purpose of illustration, an embodiment which our invention may assume, and in these drawings:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are fragmentary sectional views showing in a general manner, a billet container of the prior art, before and after being stripped from the dummy block and the butt end of the billet,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view through apparatus embodying our invention,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view corresponding generally to the line 4-4 of FIG. 3, and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing parts in different position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, and as sknown in the art, a billet container is carried by the frame of the extrusion press. A tubular liner 11 is fixed within the container to guide axial movement of a dummy block 12 which transmits extrusion forces from a press ram 14 to the rear of the billet to cause the latter to be extruded through a die 15. The die is contained within a die slide 16 and bolster plates 17 are disposed behind the die to back it up against extrusion forces. A carrier 18 supports the die slide from the press frame.

At the end of an extrusion cycle, the parts are in the position shown in FIG. 1, with the butt end 19 of the billet within the container and integrally attached to the extrusion 20 within the die 15. At this time the press ram is retracted and the container 10 is stripped from the dummy block 12 and butt 19, as shown in FIG. 2, to expose the dummy block and butt. As in usual construction, the container is moved toward and away from the die by means of fluid cylinders, not shown. In some cases the dummy block 12 falls from the butt and in other cases it is firmly adhered to the butt, as is the case shown in FIG. 2.

'After the container has moved away from the die a predetermined amount, as for example the amount defined by engagement with a limit switch 21, a shear operating device (not shown but of customary construction) is actuated to move the shear 22 downwardly along the outer face of the die 15 to sever the butt 19 from the extrusion in the die. The shear moves downwardly until it engages a limit switch 23, at which time its movement is reversed and it moves to its upper position defined by engagement with limit switch 24. After the shearing operation, the butt 19 will fall with the dummy block 12 (if the latter is adhered to the .butt) as suggested in phantom lines in FIG. 2.

The dummy block is an expensive item since it is made of heat treated alloy steel of good quality. Further, the dummy block is of considerable size and weight and, as an example, the block may be in excess of twelve inches in diameter and be about four inches thick. Thus, as it falls the considerable distance to the receiver of the prior art, it or the receiver, or both, may be damaged. In falling, chips may be broken off the dummy block and in subsequent use of a chipped block damage may result to the press tooling.

Our invention minimizes damage to the dummy block and to effect this desirable result we provide a platform 25 which is moved from a lower position (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) to an upper position (shown in FIG. 5) wherein it is disposed underneath and in close proximity to the dummy block 12 and the butt 19 to considerably reduce the distance these parts will fall.

The platform is shown as circular in the disclosed embodiment, although it may be rectangular or any other suitable configuration, and in its upper position it projects through the lower open end of a chute 26 which is configured to correspond to the platform and is held in fixed position by a bracket 27 (see FIG. 3). The upper open end of the chute is flared, as shown at 28, to guide the falling dummy block and butt to disposition onto the platform. The parts are shown lying flatwise on the platform in FIG. 5, although it will be appreciated that such parts may assume a variety of other positions, and suitable guides 29, shown in phantom lines in FIG. 3, may be disposed along the length of travel of the platform to prevent the parts from rolling or shifting therefrom.

The platform comprises a plate 30 and a pair of bosses 31 are located under the plate and into which are pinned the upper ends of guide rods 32. An Allen head screw is threaded into the upper extremity of each guide rod, the head of such screws seating in a corresponding recess in the plate 30 to connect the plate to the bosses. The plate 36 has an insert 132 of soft metal, such as aluminum, and the flared end 28 of the chute is lined with aluminum, as shown at 33, to protect the dummy block against damage if it falls onto any of such soft metal surfaces.

The guide rods 32 slide vertically through respective sleeves 34 which are carried by a plate 35 connected to the under portion of a fixed platform 36 which is supported from a suitable part of the press frame. The upper end of an air cylinder 37 is connected to the plate 35 and this end of the cylinder is blind, that is, it has no connection to a source of fluid under pressure. Instead, the upper end of the cylinder merely has a line 38 leading to the atmosphere so that the cylinder may breath as the piston 39 is moved upwardly or downwardly therein. Preferably, a strainer device 40 is inserted into the line 38 to remove deleterious material from being sucked into the cylinder. The piston rod 41 extends outwardly of the upper end of the cylinder 37 and has a head 42 which is adapted to bear against the lower surface of the platform plate 3b in the upward movement of the movable platform.

The lower end of the cylinder 37 is connected, by a line 43, to a two-position, single solenoid valve 44 which may be of a type manufactured by Norgren. A pressure regulator 45 of any suitable type, such as that manufactured by Norgren and known as a Micro-Trol regulator, is inserted in the line 43 between the cylinder 37 and the valve 44, and the latter is connected by a line 46 to a source of air under pressure. The plunger of the valve 44 is moved by a solenoid 47 to a position wherein air flows from line 46, through the pressure regulator 45, line 43 and to the lower end of the cylinder 37 A spring, diagramatically shown at 48, returns the valve plunger to interrupt flow of air from line 46 to the pressure regulator when the solenoid 47 is deenergized.

At the end of the extrusion cycle the solenoid 47 is energized in any suitable manner, such as by a limit switch (not shown) which is actuated when the press ram has extruded the billet and a predetermined butt length remains within the container. Energization of the solenoid 47 moves the plunger of valve 44 to a position wherein air from line d6 flows through the valve, the regulator 45 and to the lower end of the cylinder 37, to drive the piston 39 and its rod 41 upwardly. The head 42 of the piston rod bears against the under surface of the platform plate 30 to drive the latter to its upper position shown in FIG. 5. The pressure regulator 45 is adjusted so that the air pressure beneath the piston 39 is such as to just balance the weight of the platform and its connected parts.

With the platform 25 in its upper position, the container will be moved away from the die to expose the dummy block and billet butt 19. At this time the dummy block 12 may fall from the butt and into the chute and onto the platform, or the dummy block may adhere to the butt. When the container has been moved to its stripped position, as shown in FlG. 2, it may actuate a switch, such as the limit switch 21, to start the shear 22 downward, and the shear severs the butt 19 from the extrusion in the die 15. At the time the shear moves downwardly, the solenoid 47 is deenergized so that the spring 48 moves the valve plunger to a position wherein air is trapped between the regulator and the undersurface of the extended piston 39.

As a result of the shearing operation, the dummy block and butt will fall into the chute and onto the platform. The regulator &5 has been so adjusted that this additional weight on the platform will increase the pressure of the air trapped in the cylinder 37 and cause the air to gradually bleed out of the regulator, thus gradually lowering the platform 25 to its lower position shown in FIG. 5.

In the event that the dummy block 12 fails before the butt 19 is severed, its weight is sufficient to cause lowering of the platform in the manner described. Although the butt 19 may be severed after the platform starts to lower, this is not detrimental since the billet is usually aluminum and is lighter in weight and softer than the dummy block, so even if it should fall onto the dummy block, it will cause no damage to the latter.

After the platform 25 reaches its lower position, means are actuated to remove the dummy block and butt therefrom. In the disclosed embodiment, such means takes the form of an air cylinder 50 which has its rod end supported on the upper surface 51 of the fixed platform 36 and its blank end supported on a bracket 52 secured to a suitable part of the press frame. In its lower position, the platform 25 is flush with the fixed platform surface 51, and the piston rod 53 of the cylinder is provided with a pusher member 54 which is caused to slide over the upper surface of insert 132 and the upper surface 51 to push the dummy block and butt along the latter surface to an elevator shown schematically at 55, which delivers the parts to a suitable collecting place outside of the press frame.

Opposite ends of the cylinder 50 are connected to a two-position, four-way valve 56, which may be of a type manufactured by Norgren, so that the valve plunger (not shown) connects one or the other end of the cylinder to a line 57 leading to a source of air under pressure. A solenoid 58, when energized, shifts the valve plunger to connect the blank end of the cylinder 50 to air pressure, to thus extend the piston rod, and a spring, shown diagramatically at 59, returns the valve plunger when the solenoid is deenergized to a position wherein the rod end of the cylinder is connected to air pressure and the blank end is exhaust. Preferably, speed regulator valves 61) are interposed in the air lines between the valve and cylinder, so that the rate of movement of the pusher member 54 may be controlled in either direction.

With reference to FIG. 3, a rod 61 depends from the platform plate 30 and is adapted to trip a limit switch 62 which causes energization of the solenoid 58, so that the pusher member 5% will not be moved until the platform has reached its lowermost position. Electrical connections, not shown but within the capacity of one skilled in the art, are made between the actuating means for the container and the elevating means for the platform so that the container will not strip or the platform be raised unless the pusher member 54 is fully retracted to position shown in FIG. 4, and such electrical interlock will include a limit switch 63 which is tripped by the pusher member 5 when it is fully retracted.

We claim:

1. In an extrusion press having a container for a billet to be extruded and a dummy block in said container for transmitting extruding forces from the press ram to the butt end of said billet to force the latter through an extrusion die, and wherein said container is moved away from said die following the end of an extrusion cycle to expose the dummy block and the billet butt, and wherein the dummy block may fall from the butt or may adhere thereto and fall therewith when said butt is severed from the extrusion in the die, the improvement comprising:

a platform movable vertically between lower and upper positions, in said upper position said platform being disposed underneath and in close proximity to the exposed dummy block and butt and onto the upper plane surface of which said dummy block may fall alone or with the butt when the latter is severed from the extrusion in the die to thereby load the platform,

means providing for a regulated downward movement of the loaded platform from said upper position to said lower position,

a guide surface extending in a plane transversely of the vertical movement of said platform and coplanar with and forming an extension of said platform upper surface when said platform is in its lower position,

and means operable when said platform is in its lower position to slide the load over and from said platform upper surface and onto said guide surface.

2. The construction according to claim 1 and further comprising:

a tubular upright chute open at top and bottom ends and fixed in position with its top end underneath and in close proximity to the exposed dummy block and butt end,

said platform being movable within said chute and in its upper position its upper surface forms a closure for the bottom of said chute,

whereby said dummy block falls into the open top end of said chute and is guided by the latter to position on said platform upper surface.

3. The construction according to claim 1 wherein said guide surface has portions on opposite sides of said platform, and

said operable means comprises a pusher member movable relative to said guide surface from one side portion to the other to push the load from said platform upper surface onto said other side portion.

4. The construction according to claim 3 wherein said pusher member is connected to the rod of a fluid cylinder,

and means for admitting fluid under pressure to said cylinder to effect load-pushing operation only when said platform is con-planar with said guide surface.

5. In an extrusion press having a container for a billet to be extruded and a dummy block in said container for transmitting extruding forces from the press ram to the butt end of said billet to force the latter through an extrusion die, and wherein said container is moved away from said die following the end of an extrusion cycle to expose the dummy block and the butt of said billet, and wherein the dummy block may fall from the butt or may adhere thereto and fall therewith when said butt is severed from the extrusion in said die, the improvement comprising: a platform movable from a lower position to an upper position wherein it is disposed beneath and in close proximity to the exposed dummy block and butt and onto which said dummy block may fall alone or with said butt when the latter is severed from the extrusion in the die, an air cylinder having its piston rod engageable with said platform and a valve operable to admit air under pressure to the blank end of said cylinder to project said piston rod and thereby raise said platform to its upper position, a regulator between said valve and said cylinder end to regulate the air pressure within said cylinder to an amount to balance the weight of said platform in its upper position, means operable to move said valve to a position to trap air within said cylinder and between it and said regulator, the additional weight of said dummy block alone or with said butt increasing the pressure of air trapped in said cylinder beyond that for which said regulator is set so that said regulator gradually bleeds air from said cylinder to slowly lower said platform to its lower position.

6. The construction according to claim 5 and further including a chute fixed in position underneath and in close proximity to the exposed dummy block and butt, said chute comprising a tubular portion open at the bottom and through which said platform is projected for disposition within said tubular portion, said tubular portion having an outwardly flared open upper end to guide the falling dummy block and butt to disposition on said platform.

7. The construction according to claim 6 wherein said platform and chute are lined with a metal softer than the metal of said dummy block to minimize damage to the latter.

8. The construction according to claim 5 and further including means for removing said dummy block and said butt from said movable platform in the lower position of the latter.

9. The construction according to claim 5 and further including a fixed platform in line with the lower position of said movable platform, and pusher means for pushing the dummy block and butt from said movable platform and onto said fixed platform.

10. The construction according to claim 9 wherein said pusher means is attached to the piston rod of a fluid cylinder, and means actuated by said platform when in its lower position to provide for flow of pressure fluid to said cylinder to extend said piston rod and move said pusher means across the upper surface of said movable platform. 

1. In an extrusion press having a container for a billet to be extruded and a dummy block in said container for transmitting extruding forces from the press ram to the butt end of said billet to force the latter through an extrusion die, and wherein said container is moved away from said die following the end of an extrusion cycle to expose the dummy block and the billet butt, and wherein the dummy block may fall from the butt or may adhere thereto and fall therewith when said butt is severed from the extrusion in the die, the improvement comprising: a platform movable vertically between lower and upper positions, in said upper position said platform being disposed underneath and in close proximity to the exposed dummy block and butt and onto the upper plane surface of which said dummy block may fall alone or with the butt when the latter is severed from the extrusion in the die to thereby load the platform, means providing for a regulated downward movement of the loaded platform from said upper position to said lower position, a guide surface extending in a plane transversely of the vertical movement of said platform and co-planar with and forming an extension of said platform upper surface when said platform is in its lower position, and means operable when said platforM is in its lower position to slide the load over and from said platform upper surface and onto said guide surface.
 2. The construction according to claim 1 and further comprising: a tubular upright chute open at top and bottom ends and fixed in position with its top end underneath and in close proximity to the exposed dummy block and butt end, said platform being movable within said chute and in its upper position its upper surface forms a closure for the bottom of said chute, whereby said dummy block falls into the open top end of said chute and is guided by the latter to position on said platform upper surface.
 3. The construction according to claim 1 wherein said guide surface has portions on opposite sides of said platform, and said operable means comprises a pusher member movable relative to said guide surface from one side portion to the other to push the load from said platform upper surface onto said other side portion.
 4. The construction according to claim 3 wherein said pusher member is connected to the rod of a fluid cylinder, and means for admitting fluid under pressure to said cylinder to effect load-pushing operation only when said platform is con-planar with said guide surface.
 5. In an extrusion press having a container for a billet to be extruded and a dummy block in said container for transmitting extruding forces from the press ram to the butt end of said billet to force the latter through an extrusion die, and wherein said container is moved away from said die following the end of an extrusion cycle to expose the dummy block and the butt of said billet, and wherein the dummy block may fall from the butt or may adhere thereto and fall therewith when said butt is severed from the extrusion in said die, the improvement comprising: a platform movable from a lower position to an upper position wherein it is disposed beneath and in close proximity to the exposed dummy block and butt and onto which said dummy block may fall alone or with said butt when the latter is severed from the extrusion in the die, an air cylinder having its piston rod engageable with said platform and a valve operable to admit air under pressure to the blank end of said cylinder to project said piston rod and thereby raise said platform to its upper position, a regulator between said valve and said cylinder end to regulate the air pressure within said cylinder to an amount to balance the weight of said platform in its upper position, means operable to move said valve to a position to trap air within said cylinder and between it and said regulator, the additional weight of said dummy block alone or with said butt increasing the pressure of air trapped in said cylinder beyond that for which said regulator is set so that said regulator gradually bleeds air from said cylinder to slowly lower said platform to its lower position.
 6. The construction according to claim 5 and further including a chute fixed in position underneath and in close proximity to the exposed dummy block and butt, said chute comprising a tubular portion open at the bottom and through which said platform is projected for disposition within said tubular portion, said tubular portion having an outwardly flared open upper end to guide the falling dummy block and butt to disposition on said platform.
 7. The construction according to claim 6 wherein said platform and chute are lined with a metal softer than the metal of said dummy block to minimize damage to the latter.
 8. The construction according to claim 5 and further including means for removing said dummy block and said butt from said movable platform in the lower position of the latter.
 9. The construction according to claim 5 and further including a fixed platform in line with the lower position of said movable platform, and pusher means for pushing the dummy block and butt from said movable platform and onto said fixed platform.
 10. The construction according to claim 9 wherein said pusher means is attached to the piston rOd of a fluid cylinder, and means actuated by said platform when in its lower position to provide for flow of pressure fluid to said cylinder to extend said piston rod and move said pusher means across the upper surface of said movable platform. 